I'm asking the school board to reconsider moving the gymnastics program out of Hastings.”

Jeanne Kasel, gymnastics coach

The Hastings School Board approved a plan June 17 to relocate the Hastings High School gymnastics program to Farmington for the 2026-27 season, a decision that came despite concerns raised by the team's longtime head coach about student transportation, participation and the future of a program that has existed in Hastings for more than five decades.
The board voted to approve Farmington Gymnastics & Cheer as the team's practice location for the upcoming season. District officials recommended the move after evaluating several options and surveying current gymnastics families about their willingness to continue in the program if practices were moved outside Hastings.
Under the approved plan, the district will pay approximately $10,000 to use the Farmington facility. District administrators said transportation will not be provided on a regular basis, although limited van transportation may be explored. The recommendation was based on facility availability and the need to identify a workable solution for the coming season.
Before the board took action, however, gymnastics coach Jeanne Kasel urged members to reconsider.
"I'm asking the school board to reconsider moving the gymnastics program out of Hastings," Kasel told board members during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Kasel argued that requiring students to travel to Farmington for practices creates both safety and equity concerns.
"Transportation should be provided just as it is for other activities, such as alpine ski," she said. "To be fair and inclusive, this should also be the same for gymnastics, without question. Students should not be expected to find their own transportation to a required school activity."
Kasel also questioned the financial wisdom of paying to use a facility outside the district while asking families to absorb additional travel costs.
"Families will spend more on gas and may need to leave work early to get their students there on time," she said. "At the same time, the district would spend approximately $10,000 to rent a facility outside of Hastings."
The veteran coach said the move could ultimately hurt participation in the program.
"Moving the program outside the district could reduce participation and potentially encourage some families to look elsewhere for opportunities and possibly enroll in a different school district, and I don't think anyone wants to see that happen," Kasel said.
District officials have described the Farmington arrangement as a one-year solution while longer-term options are explored. Kasel questioned why the program could not remain in Hastings during that period.
"The board has stated that moving the program would only be a temporary solution for one year while future plans are developed," she said. "If that is the case, why not allow the program to remain at Hastings Middle School or Hastings High School?"
Kasel told board members she believes alternatives exist that have not yet been fully explored.
"I'm asking you, please, to give us the opportunity to sit down together and collaborate on options that could be utilized within existing opportunities right here for at least one more year," she said. "I have not been invited to the table to share different ideas that could work for everyone."
The coach also highlighted the broader value of gymnastics beyond competition.
"Gymnastics develops strength, the value of goals, integrity, respect, discipline and confidence," she said. "These are all skills that benefit students throughout life."
Kasel closed her remarks by reminding board members of the program's long history in Hastings.
"I encourage the board to listen to parents, athletes and coaches before making a final decision, and to keep this growing program that has been a Hastings High School sport for over 50 years," she said.
The board's decision followed months of discussion regarding gymnastics facilities. District administrators surveyed 16 gymnastics families, receiving responses from 15 of them. The results showed a mixed response to a possible relocation.
Four respondents said they would likely continue participating if the program moved, while one family said it definitely would continue. Six families indicated they would likely not participate or would not participate, while five said they were uncertain.
When asked about preferred locations, Farmington received the most support among the options presented. Four families selected Farmington as their preferred site, two selected Eastview, two said either location would work, three were unsure and four preferred neither location.
District staff ultimately recommended Farmington Gymnastics & Cheer as the best available option for the coming season. The facility provides the specialized equipment and practice space required for high school gymnastics while district officials continue evaluating long-term solutions closer to home.
During discussion, board member Philip Biermaier commented, “It saddens me. Decisions aren't always easy.”
“I truly, in my heart of hearts, believe this is the best facility to be at right now, and we have to keep working on trying to be to get this back in a local setting. It’ not a fun day, but I'm going to be honest to where I'm at, and that's the only thing I can be,” said Biermeier.
The move ensures Hastings student-athletes will continue to have access to competitive gymnastics during the 2026-27 season, though questions remain about what a permanent solution may look like beyond next year.